Case against NBA star detailed

Kobe Bryant is free on bail of $25,000

A woman who accused US basketball superstar Kobe Bryant of rape told police that he had grabbed her by the neck and sexually assaulted her over a chair as she wept, a detective testified on Thursday.

Mr Bryant allegedly forced himself on the 19-year-old college student after "mutual flirting" in his hotel suite, in the Colorado resort of Eagle where she was working as a clerk.

Detective Doug Winters described the woman's version of the encounter during a preliminary court hearing in Eagle, which will determine whether Mr Bryant stands trial on a charge of sexual assault. He could face life in prison if convicted.

The 25-year-old Los Angeles Laker star has denied assaulting the woman, describing their 30 June encounter as consensual sex.

Rape allegations

According to Mr Winters, the woman told him that on the night of the alleged rape, she gave Mr Bryant a tour of the hotel, then returned to his room, where they chatted and kissed.

She stated she felt pain, she was hurting Detective Doug Winters

Mr Bryant then groped her and she tried to leave, the woman alleged.

"She stated that's when he grabbed her by the neck," Mr Winters said.

She said that during and after the incident, Mr Bryant had kept asking "You are not going to tell anyone, right?"

Mr Bryant was attending his second court hearing on sexual assault charges on Thursday.

Prosecutors are outlining evidence that they say proves a sexual assault took place.

Legal experts had expected the defence to waive the hearing and proceed directly to trial, to keep potentially damaging evidence away from the public eye.

Cameras kept away

Unlike his previous appearance, cameras were not allowed in the courtroom, on the orders of Colorado Judge Frederick Garrett.

Photographers and television crews were able to attend the initial, seven-minute advisement hearing on 6 August at which Mr Bryant's lawyers waived their client's right to be formally advised of the charge.

However, his lawyers and the prosecutors both successfully argued for a subsequent ban on cameras, arguing that they could prejudice the case.

Unrivalled scandal

Mr Bryant's arrest in Eagle attracted huge interest among both the US media and his fans, some of whom travelled there to show solidarity.

The BBC's David Willis says that although American sport - and basketball in particular - has seen its share of sex scandals there have been few, if any, to rival the Bryant case.

Mr Bryant, who is married and has a young daughter, has admitted to adultery but denies committing a sexual assault - a charge, observers say, which amounts to rape in Colorado and technically carries a life sentence.

One of basketball's wealthiest stars, he could also stand to lose millions of dollars worth of lucrative sponsorship deals over the allegations.